A global coalition of leading climate research universities has urged world leaders to act now to avoid catastrophic environmental consequences.
The International Universities Climate Alliance, which includes Leeds, represents a quarter of the world's top 100 environmental research universities.
The group has now issued its first declaration ahead of the G20 Summit this weekend, during which leaders of the largest economies of the world will discuss financial and socioeconomic issues.
The University of Leeds is renowned for its climate research, including at the Faculty of Environment and the Priestley International Centre for Climate, which brings together world leading expertise in all key strands of climate change research.
Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at Leeds, said: "Universities are uniquely positioned to provide evidence-based knowledge which clearly shows the need and opportunities for raising both national and global ambitions to support urgent climate action and a green recovery."
The Alliance's declaration implores world leaders to use the post-COVID recovery to implement measures to counteract climate change.
It warns that failure to do so will lock in catastrophic consequences for generations to come.
"Universities are uniquely positioned to support urgent climate action and a green recovery."
